While cars are often seen as an indicator of economic growth, traffic casualties have risen by 60 per cent in Malta since 2005 (NSO, 2017). Hardly an indicator of a safe society, yet indicative of how acceptable the elevated risks of our rushed, overcrowded roads are. In fact, tolerance of those who break the law is being normalised. The recent relaxation of certain minor driving offences and the removal of a minimum sentence on fatal driving crimes are cause for concern.
It is patently obvious that having broken lights affects the safety of others, as does a car with a broken grill hitting a pedestrian. Equally, illegal parking can make other road users, particularly the vulnerable, difficult to see, forcing cyclists to take more visible road positions to compensate. Yet, many drivers seemed to take a wait-till-you-get-a-warning view, with an overnight and notable rise in unsafe, inconsiderate parking.
These are offences we learnt about as learner drivers; we should not need to relearn them. There is no need for a warning system. There is, however, one for enforcement, which also presents a very strong case for cyclist protection laws and minimum passing distances. Laws that are now conspicuous by their absence.
The recent reduction of penalties in the event of being found guilty of an accident where the outcome is greater than one fatality could, furthermore, open the way for drivers to walk away guilty but scot free. Considering that such criminal cases can take a decade to resolve, it is disheartening for a victim or his/her family facing another decade fighting a civil case again that can only favour the already guilty party.
Having tilted the scales of justice in the favour of the driver, there needs to be a reciprocal movement in protecting vulnerable road users where the scales of justice are tilted back, such as the onus of proof or presumed liability.
These are, along with reduced speed limits where pedestrians are present, vital changes that must occur to ensure a pan-European road safety culture aimed at protecting vulnerable road users.